Draft Public Space Protection Order to be consulted on

31 August 2023

Following a consultation earlier in the year, a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for dog control across North Northants has been revised.

The results of the first consultation informed the development of the draft PSPO and North Northamptonshire Council are now asking for views on the revised, draft PSPO, before it is sent for approval to the Executive later in 2023.

Legacy orders in Kettering, Wellingborough and East Northants are due to expire in November 2023, with no order currently in place for Corby. To ensure consistency across the area, it was proposed earlier in the year that NNC harmonise the existing orders into one PSPO and continue to address dog related anti-social behaviour.

Following feedback received, some changes have been made to the draft PSPO including the proposed addition of some public spaces, making it clearer that as well as requiring dog owners to pick up dog faeces that they are also required to dispose of it in an appropriate manner and specifying that in those areas where dogs are required to be kept on a lead, that this lead must be of a fixed length of not more than 2 metres. The revised, draft PSPO is now being consulted on until 28 September 2023.

The draft PSPO covers:

Dogs fouling on land
Dogs on leads in certain identified areas of public land
Dogs on lead upon request
Dogs exclusion in certain areas of public land

It does not include restricting the number of dogs that can be taken onto land.

Following the first consultation, we have taken comments on board and revised the draft PSPO, which we are now asking for residents and stakeholders to have their say on.

We appreciate that most dog owners in North Northants are responsible, but the introduction of an area wide PSPO will ensure all residents and visitors can enjoy our open spaces, whilst ensuring consistency so all dog owners know what rules are in place.Cllr Mark Rowley, the council’s Executive Member for Housing, Communities and Levelling Up

As with the first consultation, it is important that everyone has their say on whether they agree or disagree with the proposed PSPO. This will mean that we can have a PSPO which is fit for purpose and meets the need for the whole of North Northants.Cllr David Brackenbury, the council’s Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration

Once this draft version of the PSPO is consulted on, the final order will go to Executive for sign off and, if approved, it will be introduced as soon as possible. So please do take a look online at the amended draft and have your say.Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

Anyone can take part in the consultation in the following ways:

Completing the online survey
Writing to: North Northamptonshire Council, Environmental Protection, Swanspool House, Doddington Road, Wellingborough, NN8 1BP
Emailing [email protected]